Chris Evans replaces James Franco in Ariel Vromen's The Iceman

Last we heard, James Franco had dropped out of director Ariel Vroman's biopic based on the life of professional mob hitman Richard "The Iceman" Kuklinski, citing contractual issues. The project was thought to be dead at that point.

But according to Deadline, Chris Evans (THE AVENGERS) has stepped up to save the project, taking over Franco's former role. Evans will play Robert "Mr. Softee" Pronge, mentor assassin to Kuklinski who will be played by Michael Shannon (MAN OF STEEL, TAKE SHELTER). Benicio Del Toro (STAR TREK 2, SILENCE) rounds out the film's power trio of actors, playing mob boss Roy Demeo. The film, a biopic based on Anthony Bruno's book The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer, examines the life of the infamous hitman of the Gambino crime family who was said to have murdered hundreds in a span of nearly four decades.

Till then, Evans continues his work as the Star-Spangled Superhero in Joss Whedon's currently filming THE AVENGERS. THE ICEMAN will begin production sometime next month.